Can You Handle the Pressure - Twist - Celebration

Hello Friends, thanks for stopping by today!

We have a new challenge starting today over on our new Can You Handle The Pressure Challenge Blog and the TWIST theme is ...

Celebration

Remember, the twist is optional but you MUST use an embossing folder on your projects to qualify for the prize.  Heat embossing is also permitted but only in conjunction with an embossing folder.

 Here's what I've created to inspire you today ...

  

I decided to 'celebrate' Christmas in July!

 

I've used the Lisa Horton 'Candles' A6 -3D Embossing folder and even though I have the coordinating stencil for coloring this folder, I chose to leave it white.  An outline of red/white baker's twine and a Tutti Designs sentiment die was all it needed (in my opinion of course lol). 

  

 I do hope you'll come check out our challenge blog and play along.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,
I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!

As always . . .

The Sky's The Limit

 Happy Friday ... YAY!!

Good Heavens, these weeks are going by so quickly ... 
it will be C _ R _ _ T _ _ S before we know it!! LOL  

 

As mentioned in yesterdays post, I wanted to try the other method of the 'Eclipse' technique, which is what the theme is for the CAS Mix Up July challenge.  Luckily I was able to make some time last evening to do just that!  I did, however, watch this video (which is offered over on the challenge blog):  Eclipse Technique Tips  before starting.

 Here's what I came up with . . . 

 

Stamps:  Altenew 'Statement Flowers 
Dies:  Frantic Stamper 'The Sky's The Limit'
Paper:  White Cardstock
Ink:  Versafine Onyx
Accessories:  Tombow markers

Here's a close up  . . .

I've only tried this technique once or twice and SEVERAL years ago!  So, it was fun to give it another go and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.    I will probably add a few sequins or Nuvo Drops here & there before mailing (that thought just came to me lol).

 Challenges to share in:

Paper Craft Crew Challenge #682 - Theme Challenge 'Fun with Letters' (ends 7/28)



Shopping our Stash #578 - Popsicle Colors (ends 7/27)

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
 As always . . .

Birthday Wishes . . .

 Happy Thursday Friends . . .

Welcome back to my blog ... so glad you stopped by!

Today I've decided to join in the fun over on the CAS Mix Up July Challenge.

 

 This is a 'new to me' blog and I'm so glad I found it ... I'm hoping to play along frequently!

 I've gone with the Optical Illusion Eclipse technique for my card.  I watched the video offered but instead of using two papers of the same pattern, I simply used one sheet and popped up every other 1/2" strip to create the 'optical illusion'.

Stamps:  The Stamp Pad 'Birthday Wishes'
Paper:  White cardstock, Brutus Monroe patterned paper
Ink:  Versafine Onyx
Dies:  The Paper Rose 'Stitched Rectangle Frames' (#16679)
Accessories:  Scrapbook.com 3D foam squares 1mm 

I would really like to try the other Eclipse Technique option they offer in a video, so hopefully I'll find the time to give that a go over the  next few days and I'll be sure to share it with you!

Once again, thanks so much for stopping by!
 As always . . .

Thinking of You!

 Happy Hump Day All . . .

I'm combining a couple challenges today and came up with this card . . .

 

First, I'm going with one of the two sketches offered over on the Try A Sketch On Tuesday Challenge #700.  This challenge runs through August 2 so you have plenty of time to come join in the fun!  

 

 The second challenge that caught my attention was the color challenge over on AAA Cards - #319 ending August 1st.  Again, plenty of time to come join in the fun!!

 

 I actually went through my card stock scraps for my colors.  I had several since I recently spent some time making a variety of colored card stock card bases.  I make A6 cards so always have scraps ... which is okay because they come in handy for times like this!!

Almost forgot . . . want to share in the fun over at the Snippet Playground too!  I'm having so much fun creating cards & backgrounds with all my 'snippets'.   

* * * * *

Confession time AGAIN!!

Evidently my eyes were playing tricks on me because it was only when I started writing up this post that I realized the color next to the yellow was actually 'orange' ... not 'goldenrod' as I first saw it to be when I made this card . . .

So . . .  'Back to the Drawing Board!'  LOL

 
Thanks so much for stopping by!
 As always . . .

UP UP & AWAY

 Hello Friends . . .

Today I'm playing along in the challenge over on the Addicted to CAS blog.  Where their challenge #312 theme is 'UP' and ends in just a couple of days.

 

Here's what I came up with using the Impression Obsession 'Serendipity' Hot Air Balloons (SSDIE064).  Sadly no longer available.

   I reinserted the 'clouds' that popped out when die cut, after I gave them a little color with a Tombow marker.  The paper I used to give the balloons color is from an OLD (2014) 6x6 paper pack by Penny Black called Beau Jardin.

The sentiment stamp is by The Stamp Pad and also very OLD. 

 * * * * *

I must confess ... this was NOT my first attempt at today's card!

Here's what I created first then decided it wasn't CAS enough and might not qualify so 'tried again'.

 I used Brutus Monroe Butterfly paper for the balloons that time but when all was said & done I didn't like it for the challenge!  Oh I will put it in my 'Sale Box' ... probably in the 'encouragement' section or send it along myself.  Surely not going to toss it in the circular file!  LOL  

 I rarely throw away a card ... might tear it apart and make it anew but would have to be really bad for me to actually dispose of it!  LOL

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

 As always . . .

Pick 3 Challenge Time #7

  Hello friends!

It's time again for a fun new challenge over on the Pick 3 Challenge Blog.  

Here's this months Elements Board . . . 

  

Here's what I've created  . . .

 

  The elements I've chosen today are: 

Purple - Fruit - Chevron 

 Anyone who knows me knows my favorite color is PURPLE!  So, of course that had to be one of my element choices.  And, of course, grapes are purple so my next selection was FRUIT and lastly, I've had this CHEVRON embossing folder in my stash for years and rarely think to use it.  Today's the day!!

 The stamps used are OLD and have sadly been neglected for years.  But, they were perfect for what I had in mind today.  They are both from the Inkadinkado Company.  The grape stamp was stamped twice, colored in two shades of purple and fussy cut with a swivel craft knife.

The embossing folder is by Taylored Expressions and the sentiment by Creative Expressions 'Wordies - Milestones' set. 

 

This is such a fun challenge to create for!  
Half the work is already done for you once you choose your 3 elements!

Points to Remember:

• Your Project must contain at least 3 of the 6 elements given.
• Please tell us which elements your project contains.
• A Limit of 6 Entries per Challenge.
• Check back to see if you're a Winner!

You have until the 17th of the next month to link your project.  
The Winner and Top Picks of each challenge will be announced on the next new challenge post starting the 20th of that next month.

 Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,
I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!

As always . . .

 

Peace on Earth Challenge #116

 Hello Friends and welcome back to my blog! 

SO happy you stopped by!

Today I have a card to share for the new challenge over on the PEACE ON EARTH CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE BLOG.  Of course the theme is Anything Christmas and we hope you'll come join in the fun! 

Here's a fun inspiration board we've created to help get you started ...

 

 

Today I have once again dug deeply into my stash and came up with this very old (never used) Sue Wilson  'Stocking Gift Card Holder' (CED3085).  

 

If this is actually supposed to be used for a gift card holder I'm going to have to go out on YouTube and see if I can find a video doing that!  Geesh guess I should have used it at least once when I bought it so I'd know what to do with it!  LOL

I did find a site that says:   This set is a quick way to create a gift card holder card for your friends/family. Just cut, layer and voila, instant card that holds a gift card!    Hmmm ... going to have to play with it some more and see what's what!  LOL 

But, for today I'm using it for a card front and have added a Spellbinder 3D Scenic Poinsettia embossed panel for the background.  Went with a Christmas green for my card base.  Some Gold Stickles & White Nuvo Drops have been added to extra texture/dimension.

Challenges to share in:

Inkspirational Challenge #372 - Christmas in July (ends 7/31)



Send a Smile 4 Kids - Christmas in July (ends 7/31) 
Pearly Sparkles Challenge #121 - Christmas in July (ends 7/31)
Fab 'n' Funky #641 - Christmas in July (ends 7/21)
Girlz Creative Christmas #186 - Christmas Socks (ends 7/31)
Die Cut Diva's - Christmas in July (ends 7/31)

PLEASE be sure to pop over to THE BLOG and check out the amazing designs our design team has created for your inspiration.  What a group of talented ladies!!  Then come join in the fun!!  

 As always ... thanks again for stopping by!

Hashtag:  #diecutdivaschallengeblog

Using up MORE scraps . . .

 Happy Saturday Friends

 Since we were playing it safe and staying in the house due to the Canada fires smoke causing even us here in Akron Ohio breathing difficulties outside, I spent some time using us more of the pretty scraps of paper I've been accumulating.  

All of the cards below (with the exception of the 1st card) were created by adhering the 1/2" strips directly to my white card fronts and then simply adding Heartfelt Creations Birthday stamp/die sentiments.  Keeping it simple yet colorful.

 

For this first card I actually had a scrap of embossed paper that I then die cut a frame from.  The frame die is the Paper Rose 'Stitched Rectangle Frame' (#16679) set.  This has become my GO TO frame die set.  For this card, I've used the largest frame and the inside grid dies.  The roses are chipboard sticker roses from Hobby Lobby and as stated above, the sentiment is by Heartfelt Creations.  

My North Carolina BFF Sandy was kind enough to stamp & die cut several of these beautiful birthday sentiments for me and send them along with extra panels just in white to use for added dimension.  I did add an extra white panel behind each colored panel on these cards.   I've colored the roses on the sentiment panel using Tombow markers.

 

  

and a few more  (did I mention I've been obsessed with this design style?  lol). 

 

 As stated earlier, these last 5 were all created by simply adding various 1/2" strips of scrap designer paper in this direction and that, directly to the card base.  Makes for a very quick & easy card by simply adding a sentiment to the front.  These are all going in my Sale Box for the annual craft show I do at our local High School in the Fall.  

 I'm sure the ladies who come to my booth at the show will love them and what a huge help in reducing my scrap pile.

Challenges to share in:

Cut It Up Challenge #360 - Create Your Own Background (Card #3) (ends 7/20)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Fabulous Florals (ends 7/21)
Addicted to Stamps & More #521 - Make Your Mark (Tombows used) (ends 7/21)

Crafty Calendar July Challenge  - Happy Birthday (ends 7/28)
 

I hope you've enjoyed today's share!
Here's wishing you an amazing weekend ahead!!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

100th Birthday

 Hello Friends . . .

Last week I had a request for a special birthday card.  
The request was for a 'sweet 100 year old Christian lady's birthday'.

I looked around Pinterest for ideas but nothing really struck me so I starting pulling a few things out of my stash and came up with this card ... hope she (and you) like it.

 

 

 I thought a sweet Christian lady would appreciate roses and the Crafter's Companion 'From the Heart' paper pack was perfect.

 

 I've been a bit 'obsessed' with the Double Vision design style lately so I used that design for today's card.  I thought she might be intrigued by it and it's something 'a little different'.

 

I computer generated the sentiment then die cut it using the Sue Wilson Stitched Flag dies set (CED 4317).  A couple pretty Pink Pearl Pops from Scrapbook.com were added for a look of 'pearls'.

    

The inside sentiment is an oldie I found in my stash from the 'Verses Rubber Stamp' company.  And,  I used another sheet from the pack to decorate the inside of my card as well as the envelope flap.

Challenges to share in:

Seize the Birthday #330 - One or more numbers (ends 7/21) 

 

Cut It Up #360 - Create Your Own Background (ends 7/20) 
Crafty Catz #718 - ATG (ends 7/31)

 I hope you've enjoyed today's share!
Here's wishing you an amazing weekend ahead!!

As always, thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by!

Black & White

 Hello Friends!

WOW!  Just in the last hour the smoke has rolled into Akron, Ohio from the Canadian fires.  They say we are in the 'unhealthy' range so I'll just hide in my crafting cave and make cards!  After yesterday's birthday, I'm too old to not play it safe when it comes to breathing and the air qualify around me lol. 

 Anyways, I've been wanting to play along in the A Place to Start Challenge where their optional theme is Black & White.  Here's their inspiration offering for the twist . . . 

 

 This also gave me a chance to use up more of my scraps and I just happened to have a couple pieces of 2 sided b/w in the box ... here's what I created . . . what do you think?

  I had a scrap of an embossed white panel that I was going to use for the focus and add a flower of some sort, but wanted more of the card base background to be seen so decided to cut it in half and make it into a 'door' to showcase the focus sentiment.  That was easily done by simply scoring each panel in half and folding back.  Of course a door needs a 'latch' of some kind so used another scrap for that detail.  I thought it looked too 'bare' so low & behold I found this cute polka dot flower in my stash!  Perfect!!

 A few more scraps to adorn the inside panel along with a proper sentiment and my card is ready for mailing.  OH WAIT ... I need to go back ... 

OH WAIT ... I need to go back ... I have one more scrap ... wonder if it will fit on the envelope flap ... hang on . . .  yep!  Close enough!!  lol

 

 I've been obsessed lately with using up this mountain of scraps I have in the box and I'm thrilled with the outcome of this card!

Challenges to share in:

Creative Creases #117 - ATG with a fun fold (ends 8/6)
Snippets Playground Challenge #536 - ATG with snippets (ends 7/18)
 

Hope you like it and Hope you have a great day today!!
Be careful out there!!!  Crazy times we are living in these days!!

   As always . . .